In 2008, the National Academy of Sciences said data-mining for terrorism
methodologically was scientifically "not feasible." It's likely
to severely infringe on civil liberties and other privacy rights.

WaPo said DIA's being transformed "into a spy service focused
on emerging threats and more closely aligned with the CIA and elite
military commando units."

When expansion's completed, it's expected to have around 1,600 "collectors."
They'll operate globally.

Numbers are "unprecedented for an agency whose presence abroad
numbered in the triple digits in recent years."

Operatives include military attaches and others not associated with
"undercover" work. Washington plans "a new generation
of clandestine operatives."

CIA will provide training. The US Joint Special Operations Command's
involved. The Defense Department will decide assignments.

DIA director Lt. General Michael T. Flynn said:

"This is not a marginal adjustment for DIA." It's a "major
adjustment for national security."

It's part of a far-reaching trend. It reflects "convergence of
the military and intelligence agencies that has blurred their once -distinct
missions, capabilities and even their leadership ranks."

It's what the Pentagon calls its Defense Clandestine Service (DCS).
It's the military's "largest foray into secret intelligence work."

DIA's DCS combined with CIA, NSA, and other US intelligence agency
growth "will create a spy network of unprecedented size."

Doing so reflects Obama's "affinity for espionage and covert
action over conventional force."

It's about administration counterterrorism policies for sustained
conflict. Pieces are being enhanced to do it.

General Flynn said realigning DIA won't hamper congressional scrutiny.
"We will have to keep congressional staffs and members in the loop,"
he claimed.

Saying and meaning it are polar opposites. CIA does what it pleases.
So do FBI and NSA. DIA's no different. They're rogue agencies. They
do what they want.

According to US officials, transforming DIA's "enabled by a rare
syncing of personalities and interests among top officials at the Pentagon
and CIA, many of whom switched from one organization to the other to
take their current jobs."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a former senior Pentagon official
said "(t)he stars have been aligning on this for a while."

"It has come to my attention that news organizations seeking
information regarding my current situation have, due to the difficulty
in contacting me directly, been misled by individuals associated with
my father into printing false claims about my situation."

"I would like to correct the record: I've been fortunate to have
legal advice from an international team of some of the finest lawyers
in the world, and to work with journalists whose integrity and courage
are beyond question."

"There is no conflict amongst myself and any of the individuals
or organizations with whom I have been involved."

"Neither my father, his lawyer Bruce Fein, nor his wife Mattie
Fein represent me in any way. None of them have been or are involved
in my current situation, and this will not change in the future."

"I ask journalists to understand that they do not possess any
special knowledge regarding my situation or future plans, and not to
exploit the tragic vacuum of my father's emotional compromise for the
sake of tabloid news."

Thank you.

The ACLU's been in contact with Snowden for weeks. At his request,
it's "playing a coordinating role to ensure that he receives appropriate
legal advice and representation."

An ACLU statement said:

"(W)e believe that the information Mr. Snowden has disclosed
about the nature, scope, and putative legal authorization of the NSA's
surveillance operations has generated a remarkable and long-overdue
public debate about the legality and propriety of the government’s
surveillance activities."

"The ACLU has long held the view that leaks to the press in the
public interest should not be prosecutable under the nation's espionage
laws."